Moistening device



Patented Dec. 3l, 1946 UNITED MoIsTENING DEVICE Martin s. Pollock, Eastchester, N. Y. v application september 17, 1943,ser'ia1nc. 502,753

- This invention relates to moistening devices and has particularreference to a device for moistening gumcoated articles. Y I

Objects of the-invention include the vprovision of a moistener ofthi'stype which `is'- eiiicient and y reliable in practice, ec-onomical ofconstruction, consisting of few easily fabricated ).Oarts;` and amoistenerwhich will withstand Vordinary usage, even when the latter isvof large' proportions, for long periods of time without becomingimpaired.

Connected with the foregoing, another object of this invention is,therefore', to provide a moistener which, particularly, when in use inoffices, mercantile houses, banks, post oices and the like, willVovercome disadvantages which have heretofore existedin articles used for'approximately the same purpose, and which moistener is, moreover, of asanitary nature, the amount of manipulationl called for, in using themoistener, being negligible. i

lA feature of the inventionis-a particularly rounded or convex topsurface, which, in a manner hereinafter more specifically set forth, isadapted to substantially remain in moistened condition, this surfacebeing in effect the moisture applicator, and said surface beingsurrounded by an annular rib or elevation, said rib being higher thanpart of the applicator surface, butv below the apex thereof.

Absorbent material is herein used, in and with a supply receptacle formoistening iiuid or water, and yet other features of advantage of thisinvention are found in the provision of an expansive distribution ofsaid material at the delivery area, although that part of said materialwhich connects with or reaches into the fluid is relamoisten the gum.

With the above indicated objects and advantages in view, as well asothers, which wil1 hereinafter appear, the invention resides in certainnovel constructions and arrangements of parts, the essential features ofwhich are herein clearly described, andillustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is vertical centra-1 sections of a moisten- 55 lower than thelevel of the top of the annular rib l solaires. (cm1-54.4) t

, perforations of the sheath, therebyto sufficiently ing deviceembodyingthe DICSentinVenti-on; and

- Fig. 2 is-a top plan View thereof.

In' said drawing, represented in broken'lines in a fluid receptacle I0,on the top edgevof which a marginalange IIA of'a plate I2 ofsheetv'material finds a seat. The'plate i2, whichhas a centraldepression I3, is-p'rovidedlwith'anfannu- --lar line of apertures I4,only two' yof which arel with the material I5, is open at the top, andalso at the lower end 22, which is in communication with fluid, havingan upper level, as at 23, in the container IB.

Metallic parts may be used herein, andas represented, are of rust prooftype, andthe sheet material of an uppermost foraminate sheathv or cover25, exerting a certain pressure against the material I5, is extremelythin and may be of a plastic material, rubber or thin metal. For thisreason, since apertures 26 of the cover 25 are of selected dimensions,particles of the absorbent material tend to project through saidapertures, and moisture is carried and delivered to a gummed surface,when placed against said cover. As stated, the materials 2l and I5 areidentical as to function.

A union ring 30 of sheet material, as aforesaid, may have resilientproperties. The ring 30 has a lowermost curled ange 3|, which is movableover a bead 32 of the container I0, where part-s are shown inexaggerated condition in the drawing, for clarity. i

The union ring 30 has a substantially flat top ange 33, which is formedwith an elevated integral rib 34, andv below the flange 33 is tightlygripped, with the aforesaid fiange II, on rim of the container I0, animperforate flange or outer margin 36 ofv the perforated sheath 25. Thegripping action of the Iiange 33 cooperates with the holding function ofthe ange 3 I When once in the container I0 a certain quantity of fluid23 is placed, the device being momentarily inverted, if and whennecessary, to cause increased fluid action, functioning as hereindescribed in detail is substantially automatic, and it is seen that atleast some of the-apertures 26, such as those identified at 2'I, arequite near to and 34. In this way an annular well or auxiliary holder 40is formed.

apertures 21, and in this way a circulatory system,

is established.

Fluid action through the material. 2t 'inthe tube 2n is a part of thissystem., The apertures I4 are mostly for heavy duty operation, andsome-Af times moistening uid may be added tothe systern by and through the,well 40.

As disclosed, uid action,v in one aspect of operation, is upwardly bycapillary attraction, through the tube 2| and .medial apertures A25. Ifand when ther devicel is inverted, `fluidy movement throughtheaperturesI4 isin the same directionl asf through said tube, but as uid seeps fromthe auxiliary container 40. through the apertures 21V,v then such fluidAtends to drip back to the container` i0, through thefapertures I4.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention andpartsy of the improvements may be used without others.

l. In a moistening device for gummed surfaces, a container comprising amouth including a seat and having a bead thereat, a plate including adepressed center with an opening and having a flat iiange lon said seat,a flexible foraminate sheath p-roviding an extended receptacleV abovesaid plate, said sheath having aange; mating with said flat flange, ahollow tube having/its upper endheldin saiddepressed center, the lowerend of said tubein communication withthe interior of said containerabsorbent material dis"' posed in the hollow of said tube, beneath saidforaminated sheath and in the receptacle, a union band having a flangeheld below said bead, and another flange of said band tightly embracingsaid mating anges, said last named flange having an elevated rib the topof which is above certain of the perforations of said sheath.

2. In a moistening device forgummed surfaces, a liquid containercomprising'a mouth including a seat and vhaving a bead thereat, a plateincluding a depressed center with an opening and having a at flange onsaid seat, a medially upwardly curved flexible foraminate sheathproviding an extended receptacle above said plate, said sheath having`a;v flange mating withthe' iiat flange, a hollow tube `having one endheld in the opening of said center, the tube having its opposite endwithin theL container, absorbent material disposed in the hollow of saidtube, and in the receptacle, ar union bandha-.ving a angeheld belew saidbead, and another flange of said band tightly embracing said mating.anges; said last named flangeV having an; elevated rib,` the, .top ofwhich is above certain of the perforations of said sheath.`

3. In a moistening devicefor gummedsurfaces, a1 container having at, itsmouth an outer bead, a plate having a marginal flange on said' mouth atthe bead, said platevhaving` a depressed :center with anpopening, anupwardly curved. perforated flexible sheath having a flange matinghwithsaid marginal ange, av hollow tube depending from the opening. of saidcenter: intothe:` container ab.- sorbent'material4 disposed'in'the'hollow of said tube, beneath said sheath and' in'. thereceptacle, a union band having a flanger engaged' below saidibead, asecond flange onsaid bandfembracing said` mating: flanges, and. anelevated rib onv said second flange, said rib having itstop part abovethe: level` of certairrperforations oilsaid'V sheath.

MARTIN s POLLoCK; s

